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Thanks for that - a weight off my mind. I ws pretty sure I had it beat, but this was only the second attack Ive suffered in 9 years of continuous internet use (hey - im sensible - what more can I say?!?!?) and the world of actually removing these things is still a black art to me

Unfortunately.....as I bought this computer as a second user I have neither the ME floppy or the CD to sort this properly as per the microsoft page

That MS KB has a temporary workaround that involves editing the win.ini file to disable the load= line that loads the virus. They state that this may make you more vunerable to viruses and hackers but I don't see how. If I had your problem I would do it.

I may be able to get you a copy of wininit.exe as it is just a small file and can be emailed. If so, then you could simply overwrite your current one in Dos. Click on the PM button at the bottom of this box and send me your email address and I will get back to you.

When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail. Abraham Maslo

**** We use our powers for good, not evil ****

Trying to remove your data from the web is like trying to remove pee from a swimming pool

Hey ,an aussie flying the Union Jack?yeah,irritation;we're finding the spin Dr (Warne)pretty irritating @ the mo.He's dangerous!As to your missing file puzzle-
not unusual after an installation to have a few missing.If you have the patience,
run setup again @ least once:I setup M.E. FOUR times before it settled in;will do
whenever it has a problemo.Fine now,but configuring files&setting up,updating
files;installing hardware wasn't a breeze for the old box.Each time something
xtra was added,nice surprise really.It's got to be right before proceeding with
other remedies,like no point in system restore function if system is'nt right
in the first place.ALTHOUGH you Could try getting into DOS &Running scanreg/fix:
might find its way in DOS.You know the procedure right?I love DOS for trouble-
shooting:have you a start up disk(floppy) if not make one now;it'll come in handy
when you need it.Insert in A drive &start;choose "without CD support" when comes up;wait for "A" prompt;TYPE A:scanreg/fix-it will find or fix system files.
Remove floppy @next"A";press ctrl;alt ;delete-hold down ctrl@ beep;leave on normal start(1)&hit enter @20 sec mark.Cross you fingers.If it freezes @ screen &
drive stops chattering start again with Ctrl ;alt Delete but choose Stepx Step-Enter.
At each prompt hit enter -until it "configures mouse"-hit enter & relax.It should
enter Win. after a while.Try it & I hope 1 or other works.Cheers.

I started using this nick 10years ago when I was in Aus - now back in the UK, and just about to start a winnng ashes campaign, no doubt - Shaney will get RSI from sending dirty texts and it will be a whitewash.

Would much appreciate a startup disk - not having any of the software is the only bad thing about buying second user machines. I should buy an ME cd.but Im cheap

Good for you mate:now you can make a start up (boot)disk.Go to control Panel-Add/ Remove Programs.Click Start Up Disk tab,&follow instructions.DOS commands /to access utilities are very syntax sensitive;ie have to cross the t's
&dot the i's&and use the right switches.SCANDISK ,EDIT,FORMAT,F DISK &SYS
are all available in DOS(from the floppy)+it loads all drivers needed.If you type
any of these with..../? you will get instructions.Also in a pinch Scanreg/fix...
/restore...&scanreg/BACKUP are available.Scanreg/Comment is useful too.
Scandisk C:/ALL..../CHECKONLY..../SURFACE.../CUSTOM are excellent for mending files,registry and disk surface.A few other things occured to me to fix
Win ini,but you can get HELP menu now I hope.Look under trouble shooting&
Selective Start Up.

all Im worried by is..............have I hidden the problem or actually solved it - and how can I tell?

By all rights that machine shouldn't boot. I have emailed a copy of wininit.exe. Just save the attachment in the same folder where the renamed one is after you unzip it. If all works well after a few boots then go ahead and delete the renamed one. It is also ok to just leave it there if you want to keep it for a backup.

When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail. Abraham Maslo

**** We use our powers for good, not evil ****

Trying to remove your data from the web is like trying to remove pee from a swimming pool